Curt’s daughter Gabby will pitch for the Salve Regina (Newport, RI) softball team next year, and the proud dad offered her a congratulations on Twitter.

Some users took this as an invitation to bash the ex-Red Sox pitcher and his family, tweeting some pretty vulgar things in reply.

Curt fought back with a post on his official blog site, and exposed the identities of these trolls for all to see. Some of these people have even been fired as a result of Schilling’s blog.

98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti offered their take on the situation Tuesday afternoon.

“What was being posted on Twitter in regards to Curt Schilling’s daughter was repugnant, sure, but it’s Twitter. It’s a cesspool. You know what you’re getting into when you use Twitter and social media — for better or worse, ” said headlines guy Jim Murray.

“To be all high and mighty about this, like Curt Schilling has kind of been, I think he’s almost as bad as some of the guys tweeting at him. It was a poor joke what some of those guys were doing. It was a dumb joke in bad taste, but for these guys to lose their job and for him to sit there and be like, ‘Ha-ha-ha gotcha!’, I think that’s just as gross. He just seems a little bit pompous about the whole thing, but then again I don’t have kids.”

Tony Massarotti, who has stopped looking at Twitter mentions altogether because of stuff like this, was disgusted by the whole thing.

“The stuff that was said about his daughter? Vile. Beyond vile. Losers. Like, what did you think was going to happen? The anonymity of some of this stuff on Twitter and on the web, people think they can say and do whatever they want without any repercussions. And you know what? It’s the guy’s daughter for crying out loud! What are you doing? Losing their jobs, and Schilling reacting as he did, we can argue over that part of it. But the comments? You’re a loser. Please. Some of that stuff was just disgusting. Brutal,” said Mazz.

Mike Felger has a simple solution for Schilling to avoid these problems in the future.

“Curt, get off Twitter! Turn it off and the problem is over!” shouted Felger. “Why do you have to be on Twitter? You know what Twitter is? It’s the world. People suck! People suck. And if you open yourself up to all the sucky people, you’re going to get suckiness thrown back into your face. So just turn it off! It’s such a preventable tragedy it’s not even funny.”

Listen below for the entire conversation:

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/felger-curt-schilling-should-get-off-twitter/feed/0Top 5 Sports Callers Of The Week: February 23-February 27http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/top-5-sports-callers-of-the-week-february-23-february-27/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/top-5-sports-callers-of-the-week-february-23-february-27/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:37:23 +0000cbskaposthttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=615467The Top 5 Sports Callers of the week is a weekly installment from CBS Local Sports & CBS Sports Radio that will bring you the wildest callers from across the nation.]]>The Top 5 Sports Callers of the week is a weekly installment from CBS Local Sports that will bring you the wildest callers from across the nation.

Number 5: In this week’s episode we start with Joe from New York who says Tiger’s current struggles have illustrated to him that he can’t handle pressure anymore. Mike Francesa isn’t buying what he’s selling.

Number 4: Checking in at four is King from Turlock who joined Grant Napear on KHTK to give his thoughts on court storming and what the potential issues are in the wake of Kansas State’s student section getting a little bit too overzealous in their storming of the court after a win over Kansas.

Number 3: The number three caller this week was Trent from Chicago joining Boers and Bernstein with some thoughts on court storming also. But his main issue is with the punishment that the guys’ had proposed on the show.

Number 2: The two spot goes to Howard from Farmingville NY who called in to Boomer and Carton with an interesting theory on what Babe Ruth used as performance enhancing drugs back in the day. He takes the cake as the weirdest caller this week.

Number 1: Finally, the top spot spot is Lynn from Maine who joined Felger and Massarotti to give his views on the new pace of play rules in the MLB as a lifetime baseball fan. The guys had a little fun with him because of how old he sounded.

Video:

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/top-5-sports-callers-of-the-week-february-23-february-27/feed/0Massarotti: Same Old Rondo Continuing Diva Act Down In Dallashttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/27/massarotti-same-old-rondo-continuing-diva-act-down-in-dallas/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/27/massarotti-same-old-rondo-continuing-diva-act-down-in-dallas/#commentsFri, 27 Feb 2015 15:17:58 +0000mfhurleyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=614371Here at CBS Boston, we like to call this the PITA Principle. That’s P-I-T-A … as in Pain In The Arse.]]>BOSTON (CBS) — So let me get this straight: Rajon Rondo has been with the Dallas Mavericks for 25 games and roughly two months, and he just got benched and suspended by one of the more accomplished and respected coaches in the NBA. Here at CBS Boston, we like to call this the PITA Principle.

That’s P-I-T-A … as in Pain In The Arse.

Once a PITA, always a PITA, folks. That’s almost always the way it goes. During Rondo’s eight-plus seasons in Boston, the Celtics and their fans routinely bent over backwards to tell us that Rondo was misunderstood, highly intelligent, stubborn and insanely creative. All of it was generally accurate. What Celtics fans always left out was the simple fact that Rondo was never really good enough to be all of those things, which ultimately has forged Rondo’s identity as a petulant diva.

In the NBA, especially, the greatest talents are always tolerated. In fact, that is true in all sports. From Manny Ramirez to Kobe Bryant, we can all cite countless examples of players who were ultimately worth the headache because of what they provided between the lines.

If you consistently deliver titles, you can pretty much be as difficult as you’d like.

Earlier this week, in a game against the Toronto Raptors, Rondo ignored Carlisle’s play call from the sideline, ultimately prompting the coach to call a timeout and initiating a rather public confrontation. The Mavericks trailed by nine points at the time. Rondo was benched for the remainder of the game and the Mavericks came back to win, all before the confrontation between Rondo and Carlisle continued in the locker room. The latter ultimately led to Rondo being suspended by the Mavericks for one game.

Somewhere, Doc Rivers was doubled over in gut-busting laughter.

As usual, from Boston to Dallas, there is a lot to this story. From the very start, many Celtics fans and followers overrated Rondo’s skill set. Rondo’s game always has had an artistic flare to it, and the most casual sports fans were left oohing and aahing whenever someone got “Rondo’d.” Rondo’s flash often covered up the absence of true substance, and the Mavericks are now finding that out.

To wit: In 25 games with the Mavericks this season, Rondo has attempted just 25 free throws, an average of exactly one per game. He has made seven. (Just the other night, Celtics newcomer Isaiah Thomas went 11-for-11 from the free throw line.) For much of Rondo’s tenure in Dallas, Carlisle has opted to do exactly what Celtics coach Brad Stevens did earlier this season – sit Rondo in the fourth quarter because of the player’s inability to consistently make shots from the free throw line or, frankly, anywhere else.

With the Mavs this season, Rondo is shooting .408 from the field overall and just .412 on 2-pointers.

And this is the guy to whom some Celtics fans wanted the team to commit a maximum contract? Please.

Faced with the prospect of paying Rondo $20 million a year, the Celtics did with Rondo something they should have done a long time ago: trade him. As was the case on the floor during the player’s time here, the Celtics and Rondo just couldn’t agree on the player’s value. That is a nice way of saying Rondo simply isn’t as good as he thinks he is, so the Celtics sent him to the Mavericks for a collection of spare parts, a trade exception and draft picks.

Of course, the latest reports from Dallas now are that Rondo doesn’t want to re-sign there, either. And the Mavericks could probably live with that if Rondo were to play well for them now, delivering them a second championship under Carlisle’s guidance.

As for Carlisle, his role this in is certainly worth mentioning. He is one of the few people in NBA history to have won titles as a player and a coach, and he is widely respected by his peers. (He is president of the NBA Coaches Association, for what that’s worth.) Those who know Carlisle say he can be intense and has had to work on his communication skills over the years, but no less an authority than Larry Bird wanted Carlisle to succeed him as coach of the Indiana Pacers following the 1999-2000 season. Instead, then-Pacers president Donnie Walsh opted for Isiah Thomas.

Nice move there, eh?

In his 13 years as coach, Carlisle has won 608 games and has a winning percentage of .591. He has had one – one – losing season. Many believed that the addition of Rondo this season gave Dallas as strong a starting five as any team in the league, and there were those who thought (and still believe) that the Mavericks would be a tough out during the postseason.

Could that still be the case?

Sure.

But it requires Rajon Rondo to start making shots and stop being such a colossal, indisputable and sometimes divisive PITA.

Tony Massarotti co-hosts the Felger and Massarotti Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub weekdays from 2-6 p.m. Follow him on Twitter @TonyMassarotti. You can read more from Tony by clicking here.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/27/massarotti-same-old-rondo-continuing-diva-act-down-in-dallas/feed/7Felger & Mazz: 10 Questions With Big Jim Murrayhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/26/felger-mazz-10-questions-with-big-jim-murray/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/26/felger-mazz-10-questions-with-big-jim-murray/#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 21:08:45 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=614227Felger & Mazz wanted to get to know their new headlines guy a little better, so what better way than with a little 10 Questions?]]>BOSTON (CBS) - In case you haven’t heard, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti show has a new headlines guy.

Marc Bertrand is on to bigger things now that he has his own midday show, so earlier this week Felger & Mazz welcomed back a familiar face to patrol the studio and keep them in line: Big Jim Murray.

Murray comes back to 98.5 after career stops in Atlanta and Connecticut, but now he’s back home in the city he grew up. Mike and Tony have dealt with Murray in the past on a fill-in basis, but that’s really the extent of their relationship.

So on Thursday afternoon, the guys took some time to get to know their new headlines guy by playing a little game of 10 Questions.

Here are the questions:

10. Who is your favorite Boston athlete, coach, general manager or team owner?

6. On Toucher & Rich today, Danny Ainge said that Jared Sullinger is not in good shape. Sullinger himself admits he’s not in proper condition. So what should the Celtics do? Dump his out-of-shape ass? Or be patient and wait for him to come around?

5. Time for the Jim Murray word on the street: “My glam bae keep that body on fleek.” Please translate.

4. After Darrelle Revis, who is the one player the Patriots must retain?

3. Who do you feel is the most overrated player, coach, general manager or owner in Boston?

2. Thoughts on communal eating? (i.e. like a Japanese steakhouse)

1. What has been the most important Boston championship to you personally?

Listen below to get to know Big Jim Murray, and don’t forget to follow him on Twitter @bigjimmurray!

“Like a bunch of papers in a meeting room with a big blowing fan,” Butler said to describe his chaotic life since the Russell Wilson interception. “I’ve been enjoying it too, but you know, just got to know how to manage it well. But I’ve been enjoying myself.”

“Every morning I get up, [that play] crosses my mind. Every day it crosses my mind. It’s sinking in, but sometimes it just don’t and it starts over again. I’ve just been enjoying the ride man,” Butler told Felger & Mazz.

“We’re on to 2015″ is likely the mantra down in Foxboro as the team attempts to start next season on a clean slate, and not let the accomplishments of last season allow them to be complacent.

While his interception will be talked about fondly in this region for decades to come, a once-in-a-generation type of play doesn’t guarantee you a future roster spot. Butler, an undrafted rookie free agent in 2014, knows he won’t be able to rest on his laurels to be a member of the Patriots going forward.

“I’m not pretty sure [what my future is]. I know the standards and expectations are pretty high. So I’ll come in, try my best and did like I did last year to finally have a big role. That’s my goal. But whatever my role is given, you know, that’s what I’m going to have to do,” said Butler. “I don’t know too much about the contract, but I think I am [signed for 2015].”

“You should be asking for a raise don’t you think? After that play?” Felger fired back.

“I can only control the things I can control,” Butler responded, in perfect Belichick-ian fashion.

The entire world, and even the Patriots players were expecting run in that situation. But Butler recognized the stacked Seattle receivers and knew exactly what was coming — just how it was drawn up in practice, where he had gotten beat earlier in the week.

“I knew they was running the pick route. The bottom receiver was coming under. I seen the receiver fake outside, and those are my keys. So once he faked outside I knew I was gonna go inside. So that’s how it all turned out,” said Butler. “I knew if I didn’t break that pass up Marshawn [Lynch] was coming in the next play.”

Listen for the full interview! (Butler interview starts at 2:55)

Autograph signing information below:

For clarity: Malcolm Butler signing is scheduled for TOMORROW night, Feb. 26, at New England Picture at the Shore Shore Plaza in Braintree.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/25/malcolm-butler-talks-super-bowl-heroics-on-felger-mazz/feed/2Massarotti: Yoan Moncada And MLB’s Competitive Balance Ruleshttp://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/02/25/yoan-moncada-red-sox-competitive-balance-mlb/
http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/02/25/yoan-moncada-red-sox-competitive-balance-mlb/#commentsWed, 25 Feb 2015 20:38:00 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=613641CBS Boston's Tony Massarotti examines the competitive balance (or lack thereof) rules in Major League Baseball in the wake of the Yoan Moncada signing.]]>CBS Boston's Tony Massarotti examines the competitive balance (or lack thereof) rules in Major League Baseball in the wake of the Yoan Moncada signing.]]>http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/02/25/yoan-moncada-red-sox-competitive-balance-mlb/feed/0Cam Neely On B’s Trade Deadline Plans: ‘We Still Want To Try To Improve Our Club’http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/24/cam-neely-on-bs-trade-deadline-plans-we-still-want-to-try-to-improve-our-club/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/24/cam-neely-on-bs-trade-deadline-plans-we-still-want-to-try-to-improve-our-club/#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 21:56:16 +0000mfhurleyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=613323Cam Neely discussed the Bruins' drop in compete level, the pressures the team is feeling and trade deadline expectations.]]>Cam Neely joined Felger & Massarotti at the 98.5 The Sports Hub studio inside the TD Garden on Tuesday, hours before the puck dropped for the Bruins-Canucks game. The Bruins at least temporarily reverted back to positive play with their 6-2 win in Chicago on Sunday, and Neely said that marks two straight games where the team played well.

Still, obviously that’s not satisfactory after the 1-2-2 road trip, and Neely was asked what happened to the team’s compete level.

“It’s a good question. I think when things aren’t going as well, you start thinking too much and maybe try to do too many things, not being as reactionary, not getting back to the basics,” Neely said. “And I think that’s what this coaching staff has tried to do, just get everybody back to basics.”

Neely said the Bruins played well in St. Louis but didn’t quite get the result they wanted. That was, in large part, due to Malcolm Subban allowing three quick second-period goals. Despite the poor result, Neely said it was the right decision to give the 21-year-old a shot in an NHL game.

“We brought him up to play for a reason,” Neely said. “We thought he was playing well in Providence, so we felt it was an opportunity to see where his game’s at at the NHL level. I can’t speak to the jitters. … I would assume just based on experience, my first NHL game, I had jitters, so I would assume a goalie would probably have that more so.”

Neely was asked about a Boston Globe report that characterized the team as jumpy and on edge. Neely said he disagrees with that description, but he does know that as the team continues to barely hang on to the final playoff spot in the East, everyone feels a certain pressure.

“I was on that trip for a while. I didn’t get the sense that they were jumpy, stressed and unsettled,” Neely said. “These guys are all professionals and they know what they have to do and what the expectations are of them.”

“When Charlie [Jacobs] came out and said that we’re all under review, he wants to see where the season plays out, and understandably so. … We actually got a pretty decent January and then we reverted back these last handful of games more to where we were playing beforehand. The expectations here are high, and we all want them to be high. When you have a team of players that we have that we’ve felt that we can compete with, those expectations are going to be there. We have a fan base that’s very passionate, they understand the game, they know the game and they follow the team very closely, so they have expectations when they come into the Garden or watch us play of how they want to see us play.”

Peter Chiarelli mentioned that it’s not necessarily fair to be judged off just one season. Does Neely agree?

“Well, I mean, sports is driven by what you did today and what are you going to do tomorrow? It’s not so much what you did yesterday. That’s just the nature of sports,” Neely said, admitting that his own performance as president of the team is evaluated the same way. “If players have a down year, you talk about, ‘OK, are they gonna regroup? Are they going to be better next year? Or do you have to make a decision?’ I’m sure ownership and presidents in my position look at the same thing with management, and ownership looks at it with me.

“The same way you evaluate players, you have to evaluate everybody in the organization.”

It’s an environment which Neely enjoys.

“I don’t mind pressure. I really don’t. I had it as a player,” Neely said. “I would hate for us to be in a situation where nobody’s paying attention and no one cares. I would rather it be this way.”

Seemingly every week, the Tyler Seguin trade from 2013 came up, and this week was no different. Felger asked Neely if he accepts responsibility if people are disappointed with the return in the Tyler Seguin deal.

“Yeah, I do. I was involved in the decision-making process, so, I would, if there’s an element of our fan base, an element of our ownership that feels it was a mistake, then I’m partly responsible for that.”

“It’s a decision we made as an organization, feeling like it was the right thing to do to move Tyler, and what we got back is what the return was that we felt was the best return.”

And as for trade deadline expectations, Neely said the Bruins will approach it the same way they always do.

“I believe our team is better than we’re playing, our current team. Obviously with David out, that hurts. But if we have an opportunity to do something, and I know it’s a broken record and I’ve said it every time we’ve talked this year. If there’s an opportunity to improve our club, we’re still going to do it. Regardless of who’s in or out of the lineup, we still want to try to improve our club.”

Neely was also asked how the team could manipulate the cap now that Kevan Miller and David Krejci are injured, and what’s wrong with Dennis Seidenberg.

Listen to Neely’s full conversation below:

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/24/cam-neely-on-bs-trade-deadline-plans-we-still-want-to-try-to-improve-our-club/feed/4Massarotti: Yankees Should Release A-Rod And Be Done With Ithttp://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/02/24/a-rod-yankees-release-spring-training/
http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/02/24/a-rod-yankees-release-spring-training/#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 21:32:31 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=613331CBS Boston's Tony Massarotti wants the Yankees to finally put Alex Rodriguez out of his misery.]]>CBS Boston's Tony Massarotti wants the Yankees to finally put Alex Rodriguez out of his misery.]]>http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/02/24/a-rod-yankees-release-spring-training/feed/0Felger: Warriors, Hawks Not A Proven Model For Celtics To Followhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/13/felger-warriors-hawks-not-a-proven-model-for-celtics-to-follow/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/13/felger-warriors-hawks-not-a-proven-model-for-celtics-to-follow/#commentsFri, 13 Feb 2015 21:09:35 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=610555"You still need stars!"]]>BOSTON (CBS) – The hometown hoop team got themselves a big win on Wednesday night, entering the All-Star break on a positive note after Evan Turner’s game-winner put away Atlanta in the final seconds.

As Mike Gorman (and others) has noted, the Hawks can be the blueprint not just for the Celtics, but the entire NBA. Al Horford is their lone lottery draft pick, and the rest of the roster is filled with mid-to-late first round picks that buy into a team-basketball concept.

Both Atlanta and the Golden State Warriors lead their respective NBA conferences, and while they’re fun to watch, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Mike Felger doesn’t feel like the Celtics should follow their model of team-building.

Why? Because it hasn’t been proven.

“I think a lot of the NBA people are now looking at [Atlanta] and saying, ‘See! You can build slowly through the draft. You don’t have to have that singular superstar! You don’t need to win the lottery if LeBron James is up! You can build smartly through the draft and have an NBA champion,'” Felger said at the start of Friday’s show.

“Memphis has been that team for a couple of years. I don’t think that’s the way. I still don’t think that’s the way. What has Memphis ever won? Let me see an NBA Finals where one of these teams is actually vying for a championship before I say the Toronto model, the Memphis model, the Golden State model [works]. What will people say when the final four are OKC, San Antonio, Cleveland and whoever?”

If you’ve ever heard Felger talk basketball, you know his least favorite thing about the NBA is the belief that you need one singular superstar to win.

Felger would more than welcome one of these up-and-coming teams to be the new model of success in the league. But the only problem is he hasn’t seen it result in a title yet, therefore he’s not convinced the Celtics should follow suit.

“It’s neat that Al Horford and the collection of mid-drafted players in Atlanta has the best record in the East, and it’s neat that Golden State is putting up these kinds of numbers, and that Memphis is at the top of their division. But when it really comes down to it, what have they won other than regular season games? I just haven’t seen anybody break that mold, other than the Pistons [in 2004]. That’s it. I haven’t seen anybody else do it.”

Do you agree with Felger’s take? Do the Celtics need a superstar? Or can they build through the draft like these other teams?

Listen below!

Hear every game of the 2014-15 Boston Celtics season on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the Boston Celtics. Pregame coverage with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell begins 30 minutes prior to every game! Occasionally a scheduling conflict will arise, in which case the Celtics can be heard on our sister station 100.7 WZLX.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/13/felger-warriors-hawks-not-a-proven-model-for-celtics-to-follow/feed/6Massarotti: An Open Letter To The Boston Red Soxhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/12/massarotti-an-open-letter-to-the-boston-red-sox/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/12/massarotti-an-open-letter-to-the-boston-red-sox/#commentsThu, 12 Feb 2015 16:54:11 +0000mfhurleyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=610162Dear Red Sox, I have to know where this is going. I want a relationship.]]>Dear Red Sox,

Over the past few years, we’ve had some ups and downs, fooled around a little, thrown caution to the wind. I feel kind of foolish now for bringing this up, but I have to know where this is going.

I want a relationship.

I know, I know … I thought it was all about the winning. And it is. Most of the time. But the tumultuous nature of the last few years has taken its toll on all of us, and I simply don’t know what to expect from you anymore. I find you impossibly unpredictable. And the uncertainty has me walking on eggshells because I simply have almost no confidence in you anymore.

“We’ve got to get out of that cycle,” general manager Ben Cherington said at the general managers meetings in November. “We’re determined and we know we have to put ourselves in a position to sustain a level of success, year in and year out. I think we have the resources to do that, the people to do it. So we’re going to work as hard as we can to build a winning team for 2015.

“Even more importantly, our hope is we turn that into something that’s more sustainable over the long haul.”

See? You even said it yourself.

Even more importantly, our hope is we turn that into something that’s more sustainable over the long haul.

Sounds like you want a relationship, too.

Of course, it’s one of the oldest questions in life, let alone sports: what price would you pay for a championship? If you had to finish in last place two or three times to be guaranteed a title, would you do it? Would it be worth it? Most of us would say yes. Most of us would argue that the championship validates everything. Most of us would accept the consistent lows for the one, glorious high.

Then came the Red Sox of 2012-2014, who were really born in late 2011. And so the theory has been put to the test.

Just look at how the last four baseball seasons in Boston have ended. It hasn’t exactly been a joyride. In 2011, the Red Sox self-destructed in an avalanche of apathy and finger-pointing. Heads rolled. Ringmaster Bobby Valentine took over the circus for 2012 and heads rolled again. Then came the magical, unexpected season of 2013, the championship that set everything right again. John Farrell brought stability. And we thought we were through the worst.

As it turned out, we weren’t.

Now there are people thinking about a championship again, and, well, I’m a little worried. If 2013 was as fluky as many of us now believe it to have been, why would we expect it again? It seems like wishful thinking. It feels reckless. The last three or four years have suggested that you simply cannot handle success, and I frankly wonder where this is all headed beyond 2015.

Do I want a championship? Sure. Of course. And maybe this is merely a sign of the spoiled times we live in during this Golden Age of Boston sports, but I’m somewhat embarrassed to say that I want more.

Over the winter, you showered me with gifts. You gave me a $95 million investment in Pablo Sandoval, an $88 million jewel in Hanley Ramirez. You traded away unfulfilled promise (Will Middlebrooks) and gave me some starting pitching. The only thing you didn’t give me was Jon Lester, which was something we all desperately wanted, but you did enough to make me think you care again.

Here’s the problem: Sandoval and Ramirez feel like gifts to pacify me. To some degree, so do Justin Masterson and Rick Porcello, both of whom are signed for only one year. For the last few years, I have been hearing about the potential of Xander Bogaerts and Blake Swihart, the arm of Henry Owens and the legs of Mookie Betts. All of those players represent a future I can cling to. And so as much as I want Sandoval and Ramirez to excel, I want Bogaerts, Betts and the rest to become anchors for the next 4-5 years, to give us stability in our relationship, to give us something to stand on going forward.

In the end, I don’t know if I could ever leave you. I probably care too much. But overall, the last three years have been nothing if not exasperating, even downright exhausting, and I have been struggling with the uncertainty of it all. The end of 2014 was the definition of emptiness for me. The 2013 season lost value as quickly as it gained it, all because there was nothing real to grab onto in the aftermath.

Yes, the 2015 season means something to me. Of course I want more titles. But as you embark on spring training in the coming days, as you set your goals for the coming weeks and months, I’d also like you to take a longer view.

I want us to start building something again this year. I want the organization to have a direction and a plan. I want to compete for championships year in and year out because anything less in this market, with your resources, is a cop-out and an excuse.

Yes, I want a championship in 2015.

But beyond that, let me assure you:

If you go back to last place, I cannot promise that I will go with you.

Tony Massarotti co-hosts the Felger and Massarotti Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub weekdays from 2-6 p.m. Follow him on Twitter @TonyMassarotti. You can read more from Tony by clicking here.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/12/massarotti-an-open-letter-to-the-boston-red-sox/feed/3Massarotti: Are The Broncos Playing Chicken With The Great Peyton Manning?http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/02/11/broncos-peyton-manning-playing-chicken/
http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/02/11/broncos-peyton-manning-playing-chicken/#commentsWed, 11 Feb 2015 16:31:20 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=609871Earth to Peyton: the Broncos are leveraging you, big boy.]]>Earth to Peyton: the Broncos are leveraging you, big boy.]]>http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/02/11/broncos-peyton-manning-playing-chicken/feed/0Massarotti: How The 2015 Red Sox Have Become Most Expensive Club In Team Historyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/11/massarotti-how-the-2015-red-sox-have-become-most-expensive-club-in-team-history/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/11/massarotti-how-the-2015-red-sox-have-become-most-expensive-club-in-team-history/#commentsWed, 11 Feb 2015 12:55:31 +0000mfhurleyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=609785With baseball right around the corner, I thought now might be a good time to look at the Red Sox payroll. ]]>BOSTON (CBS) — Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington continues to say that the Red Sox are comfortable with the composition of their current pitching staff, which seems curious. On the one hand, some of you believe him. On the other, some of you don’t. But if we go purely by the numbers – which is to say, dollars – the Red Sox are likely done with their roster building.

At least for now.

With baseball right around the corner, I thought now might be a good time to look at the Red Sox payroll. In recent seasons, the Sox have hovered right around $175 million, which has placed them below the luxury tax threshold. But already this season, the Sox are committed to between $200-$205 million, and that’s before paying a luxury tax rate of 17.5 percent.

Before we get to the particulars of current baseball economics, here’s a breakdown of the Boston payroll for 2015, based on average annual salary, which is the value MLB uses to calculate the luxury tax. Also, let’s remember that some of these numbers are either rounded off or are slight estimates:

So there you have it: $181.8 million, right? Well, no. Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement between owners and players, every team must pay an annual fee – about $12 million – for player benefits (health care, etc.). This number counts against the payroll. Additionally, the Red Sox still have one payment left to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the trade that sent Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to the National League, a figure totaling $3.9 million. Add in an estimated $5 million for the balance of the 40-man roster – minor-leaguers who will be called up for injured players, etc. – and the payroll actually looks like this:

Player salaries – $181.8 million
Benefits – $12 million
Dodgers – $3.9 million
Balance of 40-man roster – $5 million

Total – $202.7 million

Obviously, that number is over the luxury tax threshold of $189 million, which means the Red Sox must pay a 17.5 percent tax on the amount by which they exceeded the tax. In this case, that difference is $13.7 million. The tax figure on the $13.7 million comes to $2.4 million, and while that number isn’t technically a part of the Sox payroll, it is obviously a fee that comes as a result of player cost.

Add in the $2.4 million tax (at the moment) and the Red Sox are already up to about $205 million in expenses on this year’s team.

A few things to remember here: the Sox likely set $200 million(ish) as a budget this season for this reason: beginning last year, every team in baseball received an extra $25 million annually, through 2021, as part of new national TV contracts. That’s free money. That sum alone would account for an increase in payroll from $175 million to $200 million, which means the Red Sox really wouldn’t have to sacrifice anything to put a better team on the field. (The Miami Marlins are also an interesting study on the national TV money. They essentially took all $25 million and gave it to Giancarlo Stanton without affecting their internal budgets.)

Also, because Opening Day is still weeks away, the Sox still have time to tweak their payroll. (Salaries are not paid until the regular season starts.) By trading away, say, Allen Craig ($6.2 million) and Edward Mujica ($4.75 million), the Red Sox could shave $11 million off their payroll. That might not seem like much at the moment, but it could give the Red Sox the ability to add a big-name pitcher (or other significant piece) at the trading deadline if there is a need.

Like many teams, the Sox build a cushion into their payroll for midseason acquisitions. If they start the year at $200 million, they are probably willing to spend, say, $210 million. And remember, that $10 million cushion essentially grows in value during the season. (For example: Right-hander Jordan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals is due a base salary of $16.5 million this year. But if the Sox trade for him halfway through the season, Zimmerman’s remaining salary will be only $8.25 million. The Sox might not be able to fit him into their budget now, but they will be able to fit him in later. In that way, their $10 million “cushion” will actually get them a $16.5 million player, albeit for a half-season.)

At the moment, there is no way of knowing what the Red Sox’ ultimate budget is. Maybe it’s $200 million. Maybe it’s $210 million. But what we also know is that the Red Sox saved money last year when they traded Jon Lester, John Lackey, Andrew Miller and Stephen Drew during the season, which undoubtedly played a role in their willingness to further extend themselves this season.

As a result, at the moment, what we have here now entering spring training 2015, is the most expensive team in Red Sox history.

Tony Massarotti co-hosts the Felger and Massarotti Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub weekdays from 2-6 p.m. Follow him on Twitter @TonyMassarotti. You can read more from Tony by clicking here.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/11/massarotti-how-the-2015-red-sox-have-become-most-expensive-club-in-team-history/feed/4Cam Neely: ‘I Can Understand’ Tyler Seguin Feeling Like Bruins Quit On Him Too Soonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/10/cam-neely-i-can-understand-tyler-seguin-feeling-like-bruins-quit-on-him-too-soon/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/10/cam-neely-i-can-understand-tyler-seguin-feeling-like-bruins-quit-on-him-too-soon/#commentsTue, 10 Feb 2015 22:23:49 +0000mfhurleyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=609685Considering Tyler Seguin was in the building with the Dallas Stars, the young center who's tied for the NHL lead in points was obviously a topic of discussion.]]>On the inaugural Felger & Mazz broadcast in the new TD Garden studio, the crew was joined by Bruins president Cam Neely.

Considering Tyler Seguin was in the building with the Dallas Stars, the young center who’s tied for the NHL lead in points was obviously a topic of discussion.

“It’s understandable. I’m not surprised. Tyler’s having a fantastic year point-wise,” Neely said.

“Listen, I felt the same way when I got traded [by the Canucks in 1986], so I can understand any player feeling that way,” Neely said.

Neely said that with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci on the roster, the Bruins didn’t have room for Seguin to flourish at the center position. Neely said that being at his natural position is a major reason that Seguin is performing so well in Dallas, but the parts of Seguin’s game that the Bruins did not like have not changed a great deal.

“He’s a player that’s still gotta learn how to play at certain areas of the ice surface. Whether that comes or not, I can’t say, but he’s certainly … we all knew his skill. We talked about his skill even after we dealt him. We knew we were dealing a skillful player, and he’s shown that,” Neely said.

Neely was asked to look back at the entire picture of Seguin’s time in Boston, from draft day up to the trade, and say whether there’s anything the team might regret.

“Maybe when he first got here, did we do him any favors or us any favors by sticking him in the lineup in a position that maybe he wasn’t really geared for or set up for?” Neely said. “Being an 18-year-old kid in the NHL, and at that time he was somewhat living on his own, which was probably not the best thing. We had tried to find a place for him, and that proved difficult for us to do. But any time you make a deal of that magnitude, you want to look back and say, is there something that we can learn from it? And I think the staff here has done that.”

Neely said that teams typically like to give their young players a bit of a controlled environment to help ease the transition.

“With David [Pastrnak], we’ve got him living with somebody,” Neely said. “We did it with [Phil] Kessel, he lived with a family. And I think we had a hard time finding someone for Tyler, and I think it’s difficult. You’re living in a different country with different laws and you’re on your own with a team — and he’s said this multiple times — that was basically an older, veteran team where most of the players are married and have families and [live] different lifestyles.”

It wasn’t all Seguin talk. Neely was asked about the Bruins’ issues with the Canadiens, as evidenced by Boston’s 0-4 record against Montreal this season. Going back to last year’s postseason, Montreal has beaten Boston in regulation in six straight games.

“I wish I had an easy answer. There’s been a combination of things,” Neely said. “They’re a team, as you know, they’ve got some smaller, faster forwards that at times these past six games have made it difficult for us to probably play our game a little bit, the way we need to play to be successful, and it’s something that we continue to talk about.”

Felger then proposed an idea that he himself noted to be stupid: Move Patrice Bergeron to right wing so that the team can acquire a center before the trade deadline and fill the void at right wing, all in one fell swoop. Would the Bruins consider that?

“You could do that, but it’s difficult. He’s so good down low in the defensive end, I think we would lose something there by moving him to the wing,” Neely politely replied, noting that the Bruins would like to add a right-shot right wing via trade. “I don’t know if we would be a better team by moving Bergeron to the wing. I’d like to see if we could upgrade at that position over moving Bergeron to the wing.”

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/10/cam-neely-i-can-understand-tyler-seguin-feeling-like-bruins-quit-on-him-too-soon/feed/1Felger & Mazz Reach Verdicts In 3 Patriots Debateshttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/09/felger-mazz-reach-verdicts-in-3-patriots-debates/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/09/felger-mazz-reach-verdicts-in-3-patriots-debates/#commentsMon, 09 Feb 2015 21:33:00 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=609319The verdict is in on some Patriots debates of the past season, beyond a reasonable doubt. ]]>BOSTON (CBS) – Now that the Patriots season is over, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti decided to look back on the year that was and reach a verdict on certain topics, complete with Law & Order sound effects and everything.

File image (Credit: iStockphoto)

In segment #1, Felger, Mazz and Beetle reach a verdict on the Mayo injury, the Mankins trade and the drafting of Jimmy Garoppolo.

Case: Jerod Mayo’s Season Ending Knee Injury

Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo is carted off the field in Buffalo. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Prosecution: “The Patriots can’t win it all without Mayo!”

Defense: “They’ll be fine without him!”

Verdict: “Granted there was a depth issue there because [Hightower and Collins] had to play as much as they did, but they won it all without him. Do I like Mayo as a player? Yeah, absolutely. But you can absolutely go on without him,” said Mazz.

“It felt like there was an adjustment period there for about one game. That’s what it felt like. Thursday Night Football. That’s it,” added Marc Bertrand.

Prosecution: “Patriots significantly weakened their offensive line and won’t be able to protect Tom Brady.”

Defense: “In Belichick We Trust.”

Verdict:“You know what? I give Belichick the win here. To me, edge Belichick. He wins this because they ultimately did not need Logan Mankins,” said Mazz. “Again, I don’t have to like the deal. What I feared was the offensive line would be a fatal flaw, and that they’d somehow miss the presence of Mankins and the depth on the offensive line, and you know what? They overcame some of that earlier in the year and it didn’t slow them down. Belichick was right. I’m big enough to admit I was wrong.”

“I initially was in favor of the trade, then over the first month I thought it was stupid because Brady looked so bad. See, I waffled so I don’t win either way. The verdict is in on the Logan Mankins: they didn’t need him,” said Felger. “Hopefully they put some of that money towards Darrelle Revis. Patriots win that trade. The verdict is also in on Tim Wright. You lose. This wasn’t about Tim Wright.”

Case: Patriots Draft QB Jimmy Garoppolo In Second Round Of 2014 Draft

Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Tom Brady warm up before a game during the 2014 season. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Prosecution: “That pick could’ve been better spent helping the team this year!”

Defense: “It’s better to draft your next quarterback too early than too late!”

Verdict: “The verdict is in. It was a good pick. When you are drafting you have to weigh short term versus long term, and Bill [Belichick] went long term. I said, ‘Why?’ at the time, but let’s be honest, they didn’t need the help through the draft. Belichick was taking a look at his roster and knew they could win it all, so he kept his eye toward the future. He did, and he was right. Winning the Super Bowl definitely validates that pick,” said Marc Bertrand.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/09/felger-mazz-reach-verdicts-in-3-patriots-debates/feed/1Bedard: Edelman Was Best Player On Field In Super Bowlhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/05/bedard-edelman-was-best-player-on-field-in-super-bowl/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/05/bedard-edelman-was-best-player-on-field-in-super-bowl/#commentsThu, 05 Feb 2015 21:18:27 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=608259The MMQB's Greg Bedard joined Felger & Mazz in studio Thursday afternoon for a season-ending discussion on the New England Patriots' fourth Super Bowl victory.]]>http://media.boston.cbslocal.com/CBSBOS_20150205155751227AA.mp4

BOSTON (CBS) - The MMQB’s Greg Bedard joined 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti program in studio Thursday afternoon for a season-ending discussion on the New England Patriots’ fourth Super Bowl victory.

In 3 Up 3 Down, the segment where Bedard and Tony Mazz give their three studs and three duds from the game, Bedard heaped effusive praise upon Julian Edelman for his outstanding performance Sunday night, hauling in nine catches for 109 yards and one touchdown.

“He was the best player on the field but he wasn’t most valuable, but my number one player from the game was Julian Edelman. He was the best player on the field for both teams in that game,” said Bedard.

“He did a lot of things in this game, and he’s done lot of things since he ascended to being the starter after Wes Welker left and Danny Amendola went down; he does things Wes Welker cannot do, especially after the catch and even some of his routes, like the touchdown route? Wes can run that return route, but not as well as Julian can. Julian shakes guys out of his boots.”

Listen below to hear Bedard’s second and third stars, as well as Tony Mazz and Felger’s:

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/05/bedard-edelman-was-best-player-on-field-in-super-bowl/feed/0Felger & Mazz: 10 Most Important Plays In Boston Sports Of Last 15 Yearshttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/03/felger-mazz-10-most-important-plays-in-boston-sports-of-last-15-years/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/03/felger-mazz-10-most-important-plays-in-boston-sports-of-last-15-years/#commentsTue, 03 Feb 2015 22:02:50 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=607498Here is a compiled list (sort of in order) of the 10 Most Important Plays In Boston Sports Over The Last 15 Years.]]>BOSTON (CBS) - It’s been one hell of an era in Boston sports, some would even say an embarrassment of riches.

This great region is about to celebrate it’s ninth championship parade, the latest duck boat rally being held on Wednesday in what is an unprecedented decade-plus run that’s envied across the map.

Starting with the underdog Patriots in 2001, the Boston sports teams have made 20 trips to the semifinals, 13 trips to the finals and have secured nine total championships.

Malcolm Butler’s interception in the waning seconds of Super Bowl 49 was just the latest big play in a string of memorable moments for us passionate fans over the last 15 years.

To celebrate and relive these moments in time, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti show revealed their most important plays over the last 15 years.

Mike Felger, Tony Massarotti and Marc Bertrand each came up with their own list of 10, but could not agree on the order, so here is a compiled list (sort of in order) of the 10 (ish) Most Important Plays In Boston Sports Over The Last 15 Years.

10. “Bergeron! Bergeron! Bergeron!”

(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

“I still get chills by the call,” said Mazz.

During the 2013 Stanley Cup run, the Bruins came back from a three-goal deficit in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime thanks to Patrice Bergeron.

9. Brady-to-Branch For Key 1st Down Late In Super Bowl XXXVIII

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

“I think this is one of the forgotten plays in Patriots history,” said Felger. “The game is tied at 29 points with 14 seconds left. The Pats are facing a 3rd-and-3 at the Carolina 40-yard line. You don’t pick that up, you punt the ball away and you’re going to overtime, back in the day when first score wins. So who the hell knows? You lose the kickoff, they get into field goal range [and you lose]. It was a 17-yard pick up to Deion Branch in the deep right flat. The next play, Adam Vinatieri hits from 41 yards and the Patriots have their second championship.”

8. Ray Allen’s Layup vs. Lakers In Game 6 of 2007-08 NBA Finals

“Game 4 of the ’08 Finals the Celtics erased a 24-point Lakers lead in the second half. The Celtics were leading at that point, but that basket was the dagger that gave you that game and that championship,” said Felger.

“That was your classic break-your-ankles kind of moment,” said Mazz. “Allen took him right out of his shoes.”

7. Curt Schilling’s Bloody Sock vs. Yankees In Game 6 of 2004 ALCS

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

“Curt Schilling in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS, obviously the bloody sock game, pitched seven innings, allowed four hits and one run allowed as the Red Sox got one step closer to completing that comeback,” said Felger.

“Schilling’s performance was an all-timer. An absolute all-timer,” said Mazz. “The performance, the game, was off the charts.”

“Ten and a half minutes to go, third period with the Bruins up 2-1 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and he makes that save. If you’re looking for a moment to sum up that playoff run, which in my mind was the greatest goalie run in the playoffs ever, that was it. That was a ridiculous save,” said Marc Bertrand. “That’s the one that’s going to live in the highlight reels forever.”

Nathan Horton of the Boston Bruins celebrates with Milan Lucic after Horton scored the winning goal in overtime against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 27, 2011. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

“The 2011 Stanley Cup run, if you’ve got to pick one single play from it, it’s not easy to do. This is the one I chose,” said Felger. “I went with this one because if the Bruins don’t win that game, Claude [Julien] is fired, Peter Chiarelli might be fired, they might blow up that roster and change the entire direction of the organization.”

5. Ty Law Pick-Six In Super Bowl XXXVI vs. Rams

“That [interception] was when you first believed that the Patriots could win it, because I think going into it the mentality was, ‘This one is going to be tough.’ I’m not sure how many people truly believed they were going to go in there and win that game,” said Bertrand. “When that play happened, you said to yourself, ‘Boy, they can win this thing.'”

4. Ortiz Grand Slam vs. Tigers In Game 2 Of 2013 ALCS

“The Sox were trailing 5-1 in the eighth inning on the verge of going down 2-0 to Detroit in the ALCS in 2013. David Ortiz steps up to the plate with two outs and bases loaded. Closer Joaquin Benoit throws a first pitch changeup on the inside part of the plate and the rest is history. Sox tie the series 1-1, beat Detroit and go on to win the World Series,” said Felger.

“Phenomenal,” added Mazz.

3. Malcolm Butler Intercepts Russell Wilson To Clinch Super Bowl XLIX

“I think you could make the argument it’s the single biggest play in the history of Boston sports, because again, if he doesn’t make it not only do you not have four Super Bowls, but you have another loss. That’s a win-lose equation!” said Felger.

2. Dave Roberts Steals Second Base In 2004 ALCS Game 4

“To me, there’s largely a symbolic thing there,” said Mazz. “That is when the axis on which it all started to turn. There was so much to come after it, but when you add up the 86 years of history, and where you were, we all understand the significance of that play.”

“For me, it altered the way I think and believe about Boston sports forever. It’s not about negativity or cynicism. It’s about believing you could actually win it, and that it was actually an option. A lot of the negativity now comes from you know you can win it, and then something goes wrong and you get frustrated. Back then? I didn’t think they had a prayer,” said Mazz.

“Boston hadn’t won a championship in 15 years going back to 1986, and further than that, boil it down to who it was . . . it was the Patriots! They were the laughingstock of professional sports for crying out loud. They were a joke for the large majority of their existence. Vinatieri lined up to make that kick, the ball goes through the uprights and I remember thinking, ‘Now what do I do?’ That was the face that launched a thousand ships. This era began with that kick.”

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/03/felger-mazz-10-most-important-plays-in-boston-sports-of-last-15-years/feed/0WFAN’s Joe Benigno: Patriots Win By Double Digitshttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/30/wfans-joe-benigno-patriots-win-by-double-digits/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/30/wfans-joe-benigno-patriots-win-by-double-digits/#commentsFri, 30 Jan 2015 20:38:40 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=606396"I think the Patriots are going to win this game easily. I don't even think it's going to be close."]]>BOSTON (CBS) – A lot of guests have stopped by the 98.5 The Sports Hub booth this week in Phoenix on Radio Row for Super Bowl XLIX (no seriously — a ton of guests, and you can check ‘em all out here), but no guest had as hot a take as WFAN’s Joe Benigno did Friday afternoon on Felger & Massarotti.

“I think the Patriots are going to win this game easily. I don’t even think it’s going to be close,” Benigno told Felger & Mazz.

We’ve had guests say the Seahawks will win a close game and we’ve had guests say the Patriots will win a close game — nobody except Joe B is predicting a blowout.

“I think the Patriots win this game by double digits. I think Bill Belichick and company have circled the wagons with this DeflateGate garbage that’s gone on. I think it’s ‘Us against the world’. You know, we could talk about the Yankees and their 27 championships and the evil empire, but the evil empire is really up in Foxborough. Everybody hates them, and that’s exactly the way they like it.

“They lost those two [Super Bowl] games to the Giants, and they’re not here. … I just think you’re not stopping the Patriots’ reign this time. It’s been 10 years, and who knows? I wouldn’t doubt them getting back at some point as long as Bill and Brady are there, but you never know. They’re not losing this one. I’d be very surprised. I think they win this game easily — easily!”

There you have it, folks. You heard it here first!

Listen below for Joe B’s full discussion with Felger & Mazz:

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/30/wfans-joe-benigno-patriots-win-by-double-digits/feed/2Cole: ‘Good Chance Patriots Keep Revis, Even At $25 Million Cap Hit In 2015′http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/30/cole-good-chance-patriots-keep-revis-even-at-25-million-cap-hit-in-2015/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/30/cole-good-chance-patriots-keep-revis-even-at-25-million-cap-hit-in-2015/#commentsFri, 30 Jan 2015 16:34:50 +0000tfelix2014http://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=606242Bleacher Report's Jason Cole joined Felger & Mazz on Radio Row Thursday afternoon to discuss the latest with Darrelle Revis' contract.]]>BOSTON (CBS) - Jason Cole of Bleacher Report joined 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti show on Radio Row Thursday afternoon in Phoenix to discuss the contract situation with Darrelle Revis, as well as his prediction on the Super Bowl XLIX between the Patriots and Seahawks.

Revis signed a two-year deal with the Patriots last March, with the second year added to help soften the blow and make the 2014 cap figure more tolerable.

Revis earned $12 million for the 2014 season ($7 million cap hit), but the second year is when things get tricky. It’s a team option that must be picked up before the end of the 2014 league year, and will pay Revis $20 million for 2015 with a cap hit of $25 million. (Confused? You can read the full contract breakdown here)

“There is a pretty good chance that they might actually keep him, even at the $25 million [cap hit],” said Cole. “They’re thinking very long and hard about whether they’re going to do that.”

However, if Revis and the Patriots are not able to negotiate on an extension, the Patriots may have competition to sign Revis.

“[Patriots and Revis] haven’t quite gotten to the point where they can figure out a long term deal, and I think there’s a lot of concern on the Patriots part that the interest from the Jets is real. So you let him go, the Jets pilfer him back, and you lose the most vital defender you’ve had since Ty Law,” Cole told Felger & Mazz.

If the Patriots do bring Darrelle Revis back at $25 million, is that a last resort or a leverage point? Felger thinks it’s the latter, and Cole happens to agree.

“I think it’s a leverage point, partially. But I would also say this: if you’re telling Darrelle Revis he’s going to make $20 million for one year, he’s good. He’s looking at this saying, ‘Wow this is really terrible for me. This is awful making $20 million,'” said a sarcastic Cole.

If the Patriots were to win Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday, they may be in the discussion as being the best franchise — certainly the best dynasty — in the history of the NFL. However, according to Cole, Spygate and DeflateGate hinder the chances of people accepting that fact.

“There is a lot mentally riding on this game for the Patriots. There is a lot of legacy issues. Because of the salary cap, this has the potential to be the best run ever. This is not supposed to happen. Teams are supposed to equal out,” Cole said.

Predictions for Super Bowl XLIX have been all over the place. Overall though, Cole likes Seattle to win this game.

“They are more physically gifted. They have five game changing players, three defensive backs with [Earl] Thomas, [Richard] Sherman, and [Kam] Chancellor, as well as [Russell] Wilson and [Marshawn] Lynch in the backfield for the offense. The Patriots only have [Rob] Gronkowski, Revis, and [Tom] Brady,” Cole told Felger & Mazz.

Ironically, Cole doesn’t see a player as the most important person for this game.

“To me, the most important person this week is Josh McDaniels,” said Cole.

“McDaniels has to really come up with a great game plan to beat those guys with Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, and make sure Gronkowski can get through the linebackers, then Chancellor, and then Thomas over the top,” Cole told Felger & Mazz.

You’ve got to figure if Darrelle Revis plays well on Sunday, and he’s a major reason why the Patriots win, then he’s done more than enough to warrant a contract extension with the Patriots.

Listen below for full discussion:

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/30/cole-good-chance-patriots-keep-revis-even-at-25-million-cap-hit-in-2015/feed/1Revis Or Sherman? Felger & Mazz Ask Deion Sandershttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/29/revis-or-sherman-felger-mazz-ask-deion-sanders/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/29/revis-or-sherman-felger-mazz-ask-deion-sanders/#commentsThu, 29 Jan 2015 21:20:01 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=606076Debating whether Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis or Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is a better player is a fun sports radio topic, but rarely do you get the chance to pose that question to one of — he would say the best -- to ever play the position.]]>BOSTON (CBS) -98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti program sat down with NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders Thursday afternoon on Radio Row in Phoenix, as part of their continuing coverage of Super Bowl XLIX.

Debating whether Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis or Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is a better player is a fun sports radio topic, but rarely do you get the chance to pose that question to one of — he would saythe best — to ever play the position.

“Richard Sherman is one of the best. I mean, he’s one of the best in the game. He makes plays consistently, and it just so happens their scheme does not predicate that he goes right or left corner, or in the slot. He plays what their defense tells them to do, and he does a great job of it. I really like this kid. Not only is he a good corner, but he’s a very knowledgeable corner. He knows the game.”

“Who would you take? [Sherman] or Revis?” Felger asked.

“I’m not gonna say. I’d take both of them. How about that?” said Primetime. “I pick on Sundays on NFL Network. I don’t pick right now. It’s too premature.”

There’s a lot of uncertainty regarding Darrelle Revis’ contract and whether he’ll be wearing a Patriots uniform next season.

Revis signed a two-year deal with the Patriots last March, with the second year added to help soften the blow and make the 2014 cap figure more tolerable.

Revis earned $12 million for the 2014 season ($7 million cap hit), but the second year is when things get tricky. It’s a team option that must be picked up before the end of the 2014 league year, and will pay Revis $20 million for 2015 with a cap hit of $25 million. (Confused? You can read the full contract breakdown here)

It’s clear where Sanders stands on Revis’ situation.

“Why not [pick up his contract]? It’s not like any team is broke. You pay your quarterback, why can’t you pay the corner? I don’t care what you pay the quarterback, if you don’t have a corner you’re not gonna win,” Sanders told Felger & Mazz.

When asked if cornerbacks are undervalued, Sanders had another interesting take.

“The quickest way to get to the endzone is to throw a pass, last time I checked. That’s the quickest way. So the quickest way to unarm someone from getting to the endzone is to stop the quarterback from throwing the pass. Either you have a $15 million pass rusher or a $15 million corner — take your pick.”

Listen below for Felger & Mazz’s full interview with Deion Sanders, where he gives his keys to the game and much more:

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

“I think Belichick is trying to get in Pete Carroll’s head a little bit, when he talked about 1977, or the same thing at Arkansas — I think the message is, ‘Hey Pete I know what you do, buddy, and you better be confident in what you do, because I know what you do and I know how to beat it,'” Florio told Felger & Mazz. “Maybe he wants Pete to spend some time this week second guessing himself and maybe changing things up.”

“Different, but equal,” Florio said in response. “Pete Carroll was the college version of Bill Belichick back in the last decade at USC, complete with the asterisks — the real asterisks — Carroll had a championship taken away, while Bill just had to deal with the cloud of suspicion. Carroll was at the top of the sport at the college level, and now he’s at the top of the sport at the pro level.”

Florio also talked about how the Patriots defense will approach the read option Seattle offense with Russell Wilson, and also gives his take on DeflateGate — a story he’s been on top of since the beginning.

Listen below!

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/28/florio-on-belichick-carroll-different-but-equal/feed/0Bob Condotta Of The Seattle Times On Felger & Mazzhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/28/bob-condotta-of-the-seattle-times-on-felger-mazz/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/28/bob-condotta-of-the-seattle-times-on-felger-mazz/#commentsWed, 28 Jan 2015 19:55:52 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=605764For the Seattle perspective of Super Bowl XLIX, Felger & Mazz caught up with Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.]]>BOSTON (CBS) – For the Seattle perspective of Super Bowl XLIX, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Mike Felger and Tony Massarotti caught up with Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times Wednesday afternoon on Radio Row in Phoenix.

Topics covered:

– Pete Carroll’s ascension atop NFL head coaches

– The front office dynamic in Seattle with GM John Schneider and Pete Carroll

– The Seattle run game powered by Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch

– Marshawn Lynch’s poor attitude with the media

– Which Seahawks receiver will Darrelle Revis line up against?

– Condotta’s prediction

Listen below!

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/28/bob-condotta-of-the-seattle-times-on-felger-mazz/feed/0Mad Dog Russo On DeflateGate: 99 Percent Of People Think Patriots Cheatedhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/28/mad-dog-russo-on-deflategate-99-percent-of-people-think-patriots-cheated/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/28/mad-dog-russo-on-deflategate-99-percent-of-people-think-patriots-cheated/#commentsWed, 28 Jan 2015 19:54:15 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=605692Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo had a lot to say about DeflateGate.]]>BOSTON (CBS) – Sirius XM’s Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo had a lot to say (particularly about DeflateGate, but more on that later) when he joined 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti show Wednesday afternoon on Radio Row in Phoenix.

“The pressure, to me, in this game is on the Patriots. It’s not on Seattle. Tom Brady would be 3-3 in Super Bowls instead of 4-2, and they would have lost three straight Super Bowls and not winning one since Spygate, which a lot of fans in America still look at,” Russo told Felger & Mazz. “I don’t look at [Spygate] as much as the average fan does, but I think it’s a consideration.”

“3-3 in the Super Bowl sounds a lot worse than 4-2,” Mad Dog added.

Asked to pick a winner, Russo said he “doesn’t have a clear choice” and expects it to be a hard fought, close game.

A betting man, Russo sees a trend that may just be favorable for the Patriots. It sounds silly, but it makes sense.

Detroit should have beat Dallas, but they lost. Dallas should have beat Green Bay, but they lost. Green Bay should have beat Seattle, but they lost. Seattle could play great, like the three aforementioned teams, and cover, but still lose to New England.

“I know that sounds crazy, but on Monday you might be thinking, ‘Hey Russo! That’s not bad!’ So I like that one,” he joked. “I think this will be a very good game. I would be shocked if this game isn’t right there in the fourth quarter.”

“Those 12 footballs were deflated. Is it that big of a deal in the grand scheme? You can debate that all you want,” said Russo. “Criminal cases have been solved with less evidence than this. The Patriots priors get them in trouble on this too. Spygate, whether you think that’s a big deal or not, it hurts them.”

Russo acknowledges the PSI of footballs isn’t that big a deal, but he just can’t give the Patriots the benefit of the doubt on this topic.

“You are not going to convince me, and you are not going to convince the average fan. I don’t care what they’re saying in New England,” said Russo. “Do I think it’s a big deal in the huge picture? No. But do I trust New England? I do not.”

Felger & Mazz were pleased to hear someone else in the media share a similar viewpoint on the topic, and forced Russo to offer a disclaimer that these are his views and his views only as to not get in more trouble with their listeners.

Well, Russo has a message for Patriots fans:

“I’ve been doing radio for 33 years and [I’ve covered] controversies a lot worse than this. You Patriots out there who think he’s a New Yorker and doesn’t know what he’s talking about; go do a satellite radio program and take calls four or five hours a day from all walks of life all across America. We’ve had 74,000 calls [on Sirius XM Mad Dog Radio] since [DeflateGate] happened, and 73,990 think I’m right.”

Listen below for the full interview:

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

” It was out of bounds … They don’t ask him to do a whole a lot … When the game is on the line, he takes it over with his legs. I think its unfair how Prisco went at him. I think he’s a very good quarterback.”

“You just go right at them. This team is built on speed … run at them. Don’t test the perimeter, and attack the middle with the running game and attack the middle of the field with [Rob] Gronkowski,” Johnson told Felger & Mazz.

If the Patriots were in the situations of needing to throw, “Take your shots down field. Test their safeties,” said Johnson. “Test them early and see what happens there.”

Listen below for Felger & Mazz’s full interview with Ted Johnson on Radio Row:

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/ted-johnson-patriots-should-go-right-at-seahawks-defense/feed/0Felger & Mazz Argue Over DeflateGate With David Portnoy Of Barstool Sportshttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/felger-mazz-argue-over-deflategate-with-david-portnoy-of-barstool-sports/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/felger-mazz-argue-over-deflategate-with-david-portnoy-of-barstool-sports/#commentsTue, 27 Jan 2015 22:12:25 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=605370El Pres stopped by the Felger & Mazz booth on Radio Row in Phoenix Tuesday afternoon.]]>BOSTON (CBS) – “El Pres” David Portnoy of Barstool Sports joined 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti Tuesday afternoon on Radio Row to give his Boston sports media power rankings and his thoughts on DeflateGate, the latter of which he has a big bone to pick.

Pres is peeved at the two afternoon drive hosts for their perceived bias against the Patriots.

“I’m going to give you guys the chance to get out in front of this. I can’t tell whether you’re doing it for ratings or if you really believe what you’re saying. You’re so anti-Patriot, and you’ve always been anti-Patriot. … This has turned into the hate show,” Portnoy told Felger & Mazz directly.

“No matter what happens, the Patriots could win 1,000 straight games and never get in trouble, and you’re looking for any little angle to go at ‘em.”

Mazz disagrees, and genuinely feels like he’s been pretty positive about the team since Week 4 (citing their improved defense among other things), up until this whole ball deflation thing of course.

But Portnoy just doesn’t see the moral outrage response and getting all worked up over pounds per square inch.

“You guys are making it sound like it’s ethically impossible to root for this team, like you’re scarred as a human that cuts you so deep, when the Seahawks are running through PEDs — but nobody cares about that,” said Portnoy, who earlier in the day confronted the Indianapolis report who broke the story.

“[Bob Kravitz] wouldn’t go on camera, but I said to him what about the Colts and pumping in crowd noise? Is that not just as bad? And he [denied it]. So, it’s like, honestly. . . it’s only the Patriots. I think most of it stems from the hate of Belichick.”

Felger & Mazz vs. Portnoy continued for what felt like 10 more rounds, including the new development about the locker room attendant taking the footballs with him inside the bathroom.

“He had to take a leak! You’ve never had to take a leak? Since when is going to the bathroom a federal investigation?” shouted an impassioned Portnoy.

Portnoy then bashed the league for setting up a sting operation, which Felger & Mazz haven’t ruled out as a possibility.

Listen below for the first part of the debate:

Listen below for the second part of the debate:

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/bedard-deguglielmo-offers-high-praise-for-nate-solder/feed/2Massarotti: Kraft Bothered Patriots Legacy, Integrity Called Into Questionhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/massarotti-kraft-bothered-patriots-legacy-integrity-called-into-question/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/massarotti-kraft-bothered-patriots-legacy-integrity-called-into-question/#commentsTue, 27 Jan 2015 13:52:37 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=605139With Belichick, especially, Kraft always has taken the bad with the good. The question, of course, is how much is too much.]]>PHOENIX (CBS) - This is Robert Kraft’s team, remember, and some would tell you it is even Robert Kraft’s league. And so in the end, particularly with regard to Bill Belichick, Kraft will be the one to determine right from wrong and good from bad, to sort discretion from impropriety and to simply say whether his coach is guilty of another snow job.

Kraft has a business to run, after all, and the Patriots are something of an heirloom, to be passed down to his children and grandchildren like a sterling silver pocket watch.

And so for all that the owner of the Patriots said late yesterday upon arrival in their in the same Arizona desert that buried their potentially historic 2007 season, the most newsworthy was this:

“I want to make it clear that I believe unconditionally that the New England Patriots have done nothing inappropriate in this process or in violation of NFL rules,” Kraft said. “Tom (Brady), Bill and I have been together for 15 years. They are my guys. They are part of my family. And Bill, Tom and I have had many difficult discussions over the years, and I have never known them to lie to me. That is why I am confident in saying what I just said, and it bothers me greatly that their reputations and integrity – and by association that of our team – has been called into question this past week.”

And what he really meant to say, of course, is that it bothers him to have his team’s reputation and integrity called into question again.

And so, without getting into atmospheric conditions, PSI or locker room attendants making pit stops toting a sack filled with footballs, let’s boil this down to the simplest, most important questions about this entire issue from the very beginning: is Kraft himself annoyed by it? Regardless of what he says publicly, does he truly believe his coach? Does he trust Belichick enough, in the wake of a Spygate scandal that permanently damaged and stained his brand, to stand behind him even if we ultimately end up precisely where we are now, standing in a gray area with enough ammunition to wonder whether Belichick and Brady did or whether they didn’t?

Let’s be honest, folks: a year from now, maybe two, maybe four … there will be another accusation. With Belichick, there always is. If Kraft wasn’t smart enough to know that in 2007 – and he likely was – then he is certainly smart enough to know it now. For a man like Kraft, to whom his business and reputation are invaluable, Belichick always has come with certain tradeoffs. Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll always has had more personality and downright human likeability than Belichick ever had, but Belichick is simply a better football coach. And he’s a better coach than most anyone who has ever lived.

For an owner like Kraft, that reality long ago required some kind of reconciliation. With Belichick, especially, Kraft always has taken the bad with the good.

The question, of course, is how much is too much.

On this particular matter, from the very beginning, Kraft has found himself in a most unenviable position, for obvious reasons. Among the 32 NFL owners who essentially serve as the league, he has enormous clout and equal responsibility. He is regarded by many as the puppet master who handles Roger Goodell. The NFL has taken a major credibility hit during this 2014 season, to Ray Rice and beyond, and Kraft knows that the league will last far longer than he or Belichick will.

Kraft is a businessman, after all. In the end, Bill Belichick is to him what Logan Mankins was to Belichick: just another fuse in the fuse box. Belichick is bigger than most, more important than most, more powerful than most. But Kraft and the Patriots will continue to function long after Belichick is gone, and many would argue that Jimmy Garoppolo will have more to do with the Patriots’ future success than Belichick (or his successor) will.

And so yesterday – as the Patriots arrived in Arizona for a historic sixth Super Bowl with Brady at the helm – it is indeed noteworthy that Kraft stood behind his coach and his quarterback. Many were beginning to wonder why it hadn’t happened sooner. Maybe Kraft has decided that he truly believes his coach and his quarterback, that this is yet another allegation fraught with pettiness and envy, that there is nothing to fear. Maybe he just wants to temporarily put this to bed so that we all can focus on the game. Kraft didn’t say that Belichick and Brady were absolutely telling the truth so much as he said that he believes them, which is something altogether different.

In the interim, as the NFL told us yesterday, this investigation into the footballs will go on for weeks, maybe longer, which puts Robert Kraft in the same position as most everyone else.

Having said what he has said and believing only what he knows he truly believes, he waits.

And between now and then, there is a game to play.

Tony Massarotti co-hosts the Felger and Massarotti Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub weekdays from 2-6 p.m. Follow him on Twitter @TonyMassarotti. You can read more from Tony by clicking here.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/massarotti-kraft-bothered-patriots-legacy-integrity-called-into-question/feed/2Prisco On Russell Wilson: Not That Goodhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/26/prisco-on-russell-wilson-not-that-good/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/26/prisco-on-russell-wilson-not-that-good/#commentsTue, 27 Jan 2015 00:13:39 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=604994CBS Sports' Pete Prisco stopped by the Felger & Mazz booth Monday afternoon on Radio Row in Phoenix.]]>BOSTON (CBS) – Very little time has been spent this past week analyzing the x’s and o’s, and the matchups that will make Super Bowl XLIX a “game for the ages.”

But on Monday afternoon, Mike Felger and Tony Massarotti started to do just that.

After chatting with Mike Westhoff, Jeff Howe and Ben Volin earlier in the show, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti program were joined by Pete Prisco of CBS Sports.

Prisco stopped by the Sports Hub booth and was pleased to announce that Patriots fans no longer hate him as much, and it’s another fan base that gives him the most grief these days.

This got the attention of Tony Massarotti, who is as big a Wilson fan as Felger is an Andrew Luck fan.

Wilson is a tremendous playmaker, there’s no doubt about that, but Prisco sees a lot of flaws in his game.

“First off I think he’s good, and people are gonna race him up the great tree. I don’t think he’s great. I think he’s far from great. He plays with a lead; he plays with arguably one of the greatest defenses of all time.

“I’ll give you a stat: the last two years playing with a lead he has 20 touchdowns and three interceptions. Playing without the lead? 17 [touchdowns] and 13 [interceptions]. So that tells you what he benefits from.”

Based off that stat, it would be beneficial for the Patriots to get a lead early and force Seattle to throw more.

In fact, both teams rank in the top five in terms of turnover differential, so an early interception or fumble could mean the difference in the game.

“[Russell Wilson] is not good in the pocket — in fact he’s downright awful in the pocket. He feels pressure that’s not there, he gets out [of the pocket] because he can’t see [the field]. He doesn’t make a lot of reads. He’s fantastic outside the pocket, I’ll give you that. I just don’t think he’s that good.”

“I think it’s time to familiarize ourselves with the phrase ‘rogue ball boy.’ I think that one is going to be a part of the lexicon pretty soon in Boston. This is nuts,” Volin told Felger & Mazz. “The fact that there’s supposedly video, Belichick had to know that this week when he came out [and spoke], right?”

Former Patriots fullback and current NFL analyst Heath Evans told Adam Jones last week that this DeflateGate mess won’t be a distraction for the Patriots, and it’ll be something the team uses to their advantage as motivation.

Howe wholeheartedly agrees.

“I absolutely do [think it’ll be a rallying cry]. This team does it as well, and probably better than any team in the league, and it’s done it for a decade and a half,” Howe told Felger & Mazz.

But Felger thinks these circumstances are a little different.

These accusations aren’t fans and media questioning the team’s talent or anything like that.

What’s being called into question about the Patriots is their integrity, and if they are in fact cheaters.

“Yeah, [it’s different], but they have two weeks to sort of let all this hate sort of marinate. I think they’re very ticked off. Some of them are probably ticked off at the media, some of them are probably ticked off at the league, the Colts, the Ravens or whoever, and they’re all going to let it out against the Seahawks, which is what they’ll need against the most physically dominant team in the NFL,” said Howe.

“In a lot of ways this is going to be a street fight, and they’ll have two weeks of anger to unleash.”

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/26/jeff-howe-patriots-using-deflategate-as-rallying-cry/feed/2Mike Westhoff: Not Convinced Patriots Cheated, But Wouldn’t Be Surprisedhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/26/mike-westhoff-not-convinced-patriots-cheated-but-wouldnt-be-surprised/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/26/mike-westhoff-not-convinced-patriots-cheated-but-wouldnt-be-surprised/#commentsMon, 26 Jan 2015 20:40:02 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=604944Felger & Massarotti were joined by former Jets special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff on Radio Row Monday afternoon.]]>BOSTON (CBS) – 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Mike Felger was recently reading the Toronto Sun, as he normally does, and happened to stumble upon an article where former Jets specials teams coordinator Mike Westhoff was speaking out against the Patriots in this DeflateGate controversy.

“I’m not really sure if they were doing it. I know it didn’t affect the outcome of the game,” Westhoff told the Sun. “Did they do it? I honestly don’t think they did. To tell you the truth, I’m not so sure they’re not sitting around today thinking, ‘I wish we’d thought this up,’ knowing them. But if there’s anybody that would do it, it’s these guys.”

Felger and Tony Massarotti were joined by Westhoff on Radio Row Monday afternoon in Phoenix, where the former assistant explained his position.

Listen below:

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/26/mike-westhoff-not-convinced-patriots-cheated-but-wouldnt-be-surprised/feed/2Massarotti: Belichick Defending Legacy Amid DeflateGate Controversyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/26/massarotti-belichick-defending-legacy-amid-deflategate-controversy/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/26/massarotti-belichick-defending-legacy-amid-deflategate-controversy/#commentsMon, 26 Jan 2015 14:16:18 +0000Matthew Geaganhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=604765In trying to deflate the latest controversy, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is really defending his NFL legacy ]]>PHOENIX (CBS) – Bill Belichick stood there and lectured on physics as if he were Vincent Gambini himself, talking about climate and air pressure as if they were magic grits. All that was missing was the 18th century garb from the second-hand store, all because the only cleaners in town was closed on account of the flu.

You got that?

The whole store had the flu.

Sick of this yet? You bet you are, because we all know the truth, no matter how Belichick hopes and wants this to all go away – just because he said so. It isn’t. At least not yet. The Patriots will travel to Arizona today in anticipation of Super Bowl XLIX against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, who arrived in town on Sunday night. Within relative minutes, Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman was jabbing Belichick, the Patriots and the NFL in the ribs with the kind of sharp retort that makes Sherman who he is.

“Will they be punished? Probably not – not as long as Robert Kraft and Roger Goodell are still taking pictures at their respective homes,” said the Seattle defensive back. “You talk about conflict of interest. As long as that happens, it won’t affect them at all. Nothing will stop them.”

So there you have it, folks. The Super Bowl is now just days away. The Patriots still have a credibility problem. So does the NFL. By the end of this thing, only one of them is likely to gain any measure of credibility back.

Let’s back up here for a moment. Among the most rabid Patriots supporters in our corner of the country, Belichick is being celebrated like some kind of master defense attorney, which is fine. Unlike Thursday, when Belichick’s defense of his team looked uncomfortable, scripted and downright forced, Belichick was far more passionate in defense of his players, operation and team over the weekend. Whether that makes him entirely honest is still up for debate, and it will remain up for debate for some time, perhaps forever.

Roger Clemens still claims he is telling the truth, too. How many of you believe him?

In the end, here is what Belichick is really defending: his own legacy. On Saturday, incredibly, he still denied any wrongdoing in Spygate, which is somewhat comical given that it cost the coach and team $750,000 and a first-round draft pick. Whether videotaping the opposing sideline actually helped the Patriots significantly remains open to debate – most of us defend the Pats on this one – but that is hardly the point.

The real issue: there were complaints. So the league issued an edict. And Belichick ignored it. Seven years later, Belichick is still trying to defend his actions when the simple truth is that he doesn’t want anyone telling him what to do or how to act, which is downright impossible when you belong to a league where everyone’s interests have to be served.

Um, Bill? None of like us oppression. Fighting the fight is a noble trait, to be sure, but you’ve got to pick your battles.

Here’s the other thing: at times on Saturday, Belichick seemed like a man appalled – “Embarrassed,” was his actual word – that he had to spend any time defending himself at all over something as seemingly trivial as the amount of air in the footballs. That stance suggests a complete lack of understanding as to how much Spygate damaged his reputation, which is one of the great head-scratchers of all-time.

Belichick, after all, is a man to whom legacy is very important, which creates a stunning paradox in terms of his behavior. On the one hand, he shapes our narrative of him as a brilliant football coach. On the other, he undermines it with rebellious, needless petulance. What Belichick never figured out is that we control his legacy because the public is always the judge and jury.

You compile the body of work, Bill. But in terms of where it rates, the rest of the world decides. That is impossible for any single person to control.

How the Patriots will respond this week is anybody’s guess, but the real work for Super Bowl XLIX will begin later this week. Today is a travel day. Tomorrow, the Patriots must deal with the monotony and nonsense that is media day, where the air pressure in the football is almost certain to remain a rather significant topic. (Sorry, Bill.) After that, both the Patriots and Seahawks will immerse themselves in their standard game-week routines, something in which Belichick, the Patriots and the NFL will undoubtedly find great comfort.

Until then, prepare for more from the theater of the absurd.

Tony Massarotti co-hosts the Felger and Massarotti Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub weekdays from 2-6 p.m. Follow him on Twitter @TonyMassarotti. You can read more from Tony by clicking here.

All this week leading up to Super Bowl XLIX, the flagship station of the New England Patriots will conduct it’s regular programming, at it’s regular time here in New England, only the daytime shows will be broadcast live from the Phoenix Convention Center.

The Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX on February 1.

Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It’s the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak’s local call of the game!

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/22/watch-felger-mazz-try-to-differentiate-inflated-vs-deflated-football/feed/1Patriots Fans Feeling Deflated Ahead Of Super Bowlhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/21/patriots-fans-feeling-deflated-ahead-of-super-bowl/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/21/patriots-fans-feeling-deflated-ahead-of-super-bowl/#commentsThu, 22 Jan 2015 03:19:08 +0000deanreddingtonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=603793Getting fired up for the Super Bowl has a whole new meaning for Patriots fans because of the ‘DeflateGate’ scandal. ]]>BOSTON (CBS) – Getting fired up for the Super Bowl has a whole new meaning for Patriots fans because of the ‘DeflateGate’ scandal.

Pats fans are finally getting fed up. Another scandal and this time it’s hitting the faithful hard. According to an ESPN report, the Patriots were using under-inflated balls in their AFC Championship win over the Colts.

The Sports Hub phone lines were filled all day with folks looking to vent.

Caller Dave from Bolton says, “I’m a huge Pats fan. If this is proven it would be a huge disappointment.”

Co-host Mike Felger says, “It changes and taints it for Pats fans. You got to defend yourself for two straight weeks whether you are cheaters or not.”

But it’s not just the fans feeling deflated.

“I didn’t feel the same bounce in the step I felt Monday,” said Paul Perillo, a reporter at the Patriots Football Weekly. He works for the Pats at Gillette Stadium.

Perillo says, “I don’t sense the same excitement that I sensed on Monday, today more subdued.”

From staff and players, this mess is making its way around Gillette.

Perillo says, “The excitement from the win early in the week went away Tuesday and into today it was noticeably less enthusiastic.”

Bad feelings, bad timing and the big question: Why?

Massarotti says, “You got me, I don’t have a clue why they would do this it makes zero sense to me.”

Of course many fans are defending the team. And some say the latest controversy doesn’t matter.

But all fans can agree, they would much rather be talking about the Super Bowl.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/21/patriots-fans-feeling-deflated-ahead-of-super-bowl/feed/2Massarotti: ‘DeflateGate’ Pits America vs. Bill Belichickhttp://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/01/21/deflate-gate-bill-belichick-cheat-super-bowl/
http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/01/21/deflate-gate-bill-belichick-cheat-super-bowl/#commentsWed, 21 Jan 2015 18:58:41 +0000mfhurleyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=603667"America hates the Patriots. And I can’t say that I blame you." Check out Tony Mazz's latest column over on CBS Local Sports!]]>"America hates the Patriots. And I can’t say that I blame you." Check out Tony Mazz's latest column over on CBS Local Sports!]]>http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/01/21/deflate-gate-bill-belichick-cheat-super-bowl/feed/0Daopoulos On Deflated Football Charge: Only Big Deal Because It’s The Patriotshttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/daopoulos-on-deflated-football-charge-only-big-deal-because-its-the-patriots/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/daopoulos-on-deflated-football-charge-only-big-deal-because-its-the-patriots/#commentsTue, 20 Jan 2015 20:59:36 +0000ACEhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=603379Former supervisor of NFL officials Jim Daopoulos made his weekly appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti Tuesday afternoon.]]>BOSTON (CBS) – The charge doesn’t seem to warrant giving back their AFC Championship, but the Patriots have found themselves in the middle of a controversy once again.

It started Sunday night after Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson intercepted a Tom Brady pass in the second quarter. Jackson reportedly gave the ball to someone on the equipment staff, who thought it seemed under-inflated. He allegedly told Colts coach Chuck Pagano. The Colts general manager was also notified and he notified a league official, according to the report by Newsday.

NFL rules require game-used footballs to be between 12.5 – 13.5 pounds per square inch, and news of the alleged infraction broke hours after the final whistle.

Former supervisor of NFL officials Jim Daopoulos made his weekly appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Massarotti Tuesday afternoon to try and make sense of it all.

“I don’t believe [Patriots are in trouble]. I think this is a non-issue, completely a non-issue,” said Daopoulos.

“I just can’t imagine something like this happening. Basically what happens is the officials get the footballs before the game, they mark the footballs, they check the pressure of the balls; there are so many [NFL types] walking around the field that I can’t believe a ball boy making $10 bucks an hour is going to stand there with a needle in his hand taking air out of the ball … if the official doesn’t like the feel of the ball he’ll send it out.”

Michael Felger was curious to know why the NFL hasn’t come out and said it’s a non-issue, and Daopoulos’ response was clear.

“Because it’s the Patriots. It’s an issue the NFL wants to investigate thoroughly, and they will spend a day, a week, a month looking into it. I just don’t believe that there will be any credence to these allegations. … Other teams talk about inflated footballs, under-inflated footballs and it never comes to the forefront like this.”

NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent said on Tuesday the NFL hopes to wrap up it’s investigation in the next 2-3 days.

Listen below for the full interview with Jim Daopoulos:

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/daopoulos-on-deflated-football-charge-only-big-deal-because-its-the-patriots/feed/3Stewart: Patriots Can Become Greatest Dynasty In NFL Historyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/stewart-patriots-can-become-greatest-dynasty-in-nfl-history/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/stewart-patriots-can-become-greatest-dynasty-in-nfl-history/#commentsTue, 20 Jan 2015 16:14:33 +0000mfhurleyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=603257New England Patriots: Greatest dynasty in NFL history. They’re not yet ... but they can be!]]>BOSTON (CBS) — New England Patriots: Greatest dynasty in NFL history.

They’re not yet … but they can be!

With a win in Arizona against the Seattle Seahawks, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will be the on-field faces of the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Robert and Jonathan Kraft will be the owners of the NFL’s greatest dynasty.

Consistency has been preached down at 1 Patriots Place since Belichick took over the football operations on Jan. 28, 2000.

“The chemistry of this team and the quality of great people is very special,” Robert Kraft said during the presentation of the Lamar Hunt Trophy. “We have the best coaching staff, I believe, in the NFL, and the character and quality of the players, you saw it here tonight. There’s none better.”

Truer words have never been spoken.

When you match the Patriots’ success with the other NFL dynasties, they are one win away from being the clear-cut, no-questions-asked greatest dynasty in NFL history.

In how I define an NFL dynasty, either the coach or the quarterback has to be a constant. In the Patriots case, both have been constants:

1. New England Patriots
Brady and Belichick have Four Super Bowl wins* and six Super Bowl appearances in their 14 years as a tandem.

2. San Francisco 49ers
The Walsh/Montana combination was quite impressive — three championships in seven seasons together. It’s only good enough for second on my list.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Chuck Noll won Four Super Bowls as coach. However, he did it in a short span — 1974-79. The Steelers went just 2-4 in the playoffs in the 12 seasons under Noll that followed that fourth Super Bowl win. That’s a fail.

4. Dallas Cowboys
Three championships in four years is impressive, but Jerry Jones got in the way by firing Jimmy Johnson after the second. It only took two seasons to finish under .500 under something named Switzer.

*I’m predicting a Super Bowl victory for the Patriots over the Seahawks, because A) I believe they can win 35-29, and B) it serves my agenda for this contribution.

So we’re clear, this is the Wikipedia definition of a dynasty:

“A sports dynasty is a team that dominates their sport or league for an extraordinary length of time. The definition of dynasty by academics implies a single leader over the bulk of that period, a great example being John Wooden who led a college basketball powerhouse at UCLA for over a quarter century. The word ‘dynasty’ should not be used for a string of several dominant years in a row. It implies an extraordinary length of time, like a decade.”

Remember: Wiki is NEVER WRONG!

So the Steelers, 49ers and Cowboys are all eliminated. No question they had great success over a short period of time, but over the long term, no one has been better than the Patriots.

Yes Gill Santos, four championships in a span of 14 years, it’s a dynasty!

Red Sox Can Land Zimmerman

With the Nationals signing Max Scherzer, I feel good about the likelihood of the Nationals dealing Jordan Zimmerman to the Red Sox. Some combination of Joe Kelly, Allen Craig, Henry Owens, Matt Barnes, Deven Marrero, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Garin Cecchini should get it done. I believe a package of Kelly, Craig, Owens and Marrero would land Zimmerman.

Bruins Big Trade

I’m still mad that the Bruins lost to Columbus. It’s Columbus. Maybe the Blue Jackets are a bad matchup and are better than I think they are, but WE lost to Columbus. Columbus!

Last week, Fluto Shinzawa wrote about the possibility of a deal for Keith Yandle. I’d like to float out this trade idea:

Torey Krug, Chris Kelly, Ryan Spooner and three draft picks (one first, and the two seconds from the Johnny Boychuk trade) for Keith Yandle and Antoine Vermette.

I don’t know that Arizona would make a deal like that but it could act as a template. When are they moving to Vegas?

Boston Celtics Head Coach … Paul Pierce?

Even though many people have shot me down when I’ve asked about my theory that Brad Stevens will leave the Celtics to take his dream job as head coach of Indiana, I’m still of the belief that it will happen this summer.

Which then begs the question — who will the next head coach of the Boston Celtics be?

Paul Pierce.

Let that marinate for a moment.

I’ve seen comments from Paul Pierce that indicate that when he is done as a player he’d like to return to the Celtics in some type of coaching/basketball operations position. From all indications, he’s loved helping the young Washington Wizards John Wall and Bradley Beal become better players. By bringing back “The Captain and The Truth,” the Celtics would create a buzz that this team needs right now. On top of the marketing aspects it would bring, I think Pierce would be a great coach in the NBA.

Royal Rumble 15 Picks

My gut tells me that if Daniel Bryan doesn’t win the Royal Rumble match this year, then the Philly crowd might revolt again. The WWE might have a massive problem on its hands for that night, much like it did last year. Be smart: If he isn’t in the match, have the No. 30 entrant give out some “Bad News” or have him win!

Roman Reigns is the clear-cut favorite to win the match and because I’d like to get a prediction right, I’ll pick Roman Reigns. (It’s such a lame pick.)

John Cena pins Seth Rollins to win the WWE Championship thanks to interference from Sting. We get another tease of Sting vs. Triple H. Everyone believes this will be one of four main events at Wrestlemania in San Francisco.

I don’t know where this prediction leaves Brock Lesnar, other than the continuing speculation that he’ll be returning to UFC when his WWE contract is up after Wrestlemania. The WWE should have a one-on-one match between Brock and Cena at either their February “special” event or at Wrestlemania. Cena needs to win the feud between the two.

Usos retain their Tag Team Championship over Miz and Mizdow. The end result of the match should start the formal break up of Miz and Mizdow.

Super Bowl Picks

I asked a number of wrestlers whom I know through meeting in person, on the Twitter machine or just through email to randomly pick a winner and score for Super Bowl XLIX:

It’s going to be tough, especially against the defending champs. I’ll go with 34-31 Pats.

Spencer Jawitz, wrestling promoter

Patriots 27-24.

Shameless Promotions And Upcoming Events

I’ll be at the 2015 Boston Pro Wrestling Marathon, March 6-8.

We’re planning on having our street teamers there from 5-7 p.m. on the Saturday night. If you see me at the event, please say hello. More info is available here and here.

Thanks to everyone who clicked on my first contribution and more thanks to the people who kept hitting the reload button to up my page views.

The web department was impressed with the numbers in my first attempt at this did. Thank you to Andrew Celani and Michael Hurley for all of your help.

“A friend in need is a pest.” – Bobby Heenan

James Stewart is the executive producer of the Felger and Massarotti Show, which airs 2-6 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/stewart-patriots-can-become-greatest-dynasty-in-nfl-history/feed/2Massarotti: Five Most Interesting Matchups For Super Bowl XLIXhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/massarotti-five-most-interesting-matchups-for-super-bowl-xlix/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/massarotti-five-most-interesting-matchups-for-super-bowl-xlix/#commentsTue, 20 Jan 2015 14:40:26 +0000mfhurleyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=603241The Patriots are the last NFL dynasty. The Seattle Seahawks may be the next one. High noon. Meet me in the desert.]]>BOSTON (CBS) — What we have here is a potential changing of the guard, a possible passing of the torch, a convergence of past, present and future. And we have it today.

The Patriots are the last NFL dynasty. The Seattle Seahawks may be the next one.

High noon.

Meet me in the desert.

And so here we go again, Patriots followers, a sixth trip to the Super Bowl during the 14-year marriage of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. How’s that for putting the air back in the football? New England thoroughly dismantled the overmatched, under-coached and completely outclassed Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night, rumbling to a 45-7 victory that will send Brady to his sixth Super Bowl, more than any quarterback in the history of the game.

Let’s say that again.

No quarterback ever has led his team to six Super Bowls. Not one. Not Joe Montana. Not John Elway. No one.

Until now.

You are going to read, hear and see a great deal about the Patriots and Seahawks over the next two weeks, the annual and seemingly interminable gap that sits between championship weekend and the Super Bowl. The good news? This game has every chance to live up to the hype. It may even exceed it. The Patriots and Seahawks overlap and intersect in a variety of ways, and you will read about every one of them between now and Feb. 1.

Here are five that should interest you the most:

1. Yesterday vs. Tomorrow

This may sound like a media-fabricated storyline, but it isn’t. Football is a territorial game. Over the last 14 years, no NFL organization has won more games – or Super Bowls – than Belchick’s Patriots. And it really isn‘t even close. During the regular season, the Patriots have 170 victories while the next-closest team (Indianapolis) has 150. In the postseason, the gap between No. 1 (New England, 20) and No. 2 (Indy, 12) is even greater. A Patriots win would essentially give New England bookend victories on Tom Brady’s career, staking out a period of dominance never before seen.

Peyton Manning has been to the playoffs 14 times in his career and failed to win a single playoff game in nine of those. Tom Brady has been the Patriots quarterback for 14 years and been to nine AFC Championship Games.

Enough said.

As for the Seahawks, they are tied with the Denver Broncos for most regular season wins over the last two years (25). They are the first team to even reach the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons since the 2003-04 Patriots. The Seahawks possess a ferocious defense and a young quarterback blessed with invaluable intangibles, and another Super Bowl victory would leave little doubt that Seattle is the center of the current NFL universe.

And who knows? It might even close the book on the Pats.

2. Tom Brady vs. Russell Wilson

We know, we know: the quarterbacks don’t play against each other. But that is hardly the point. In the modern NFL, Wilson loosely qualifies as Brady reincarnate, which is to say that he has climbed to the pinnacle of professional football from relative obscurity. Like Brady, who was chosen the sixth round in 2000, Wilson was not a first-round pick. (He was taken in the third round in 2012.) Like Brady, who has Manning as a rival, Wilson has a far more heralded counterpart (Andrew Luck). And like Brady, Wilson has done nothing but win.

In his career, Wilson is 36-12 during the regular season, 6-1 in the playoffs. In matchups against quarterbacks who have won a Super Bowl – including one against Brady – Wilson is a perfect 10-0, a record that defies logic.

Does Wilson have a terrific defense supporting him? Sure. But at the beginning of his career, so did Brady.

3. Pete Carroll vs. Bill Belichick

Bill Parcells’ replacement vs. Bill Parcells’ disciple. How’s that for a contrast? In New England, Belichick replaced Carroll, who replaced Parcells, who was the first step in turning the Patriots from a perennial laughingstock into one of the true model organizations in professional sports.

Now both of them have Super Bowl championships to their credit. And if it’s true that a team takes on the personality of its coach, could there be two more stark examples?

The Patriots are calculating, businesslike, downright surgical. The Seahawks let it fly. Of course, the truth is that the teams are probably more alike than we might give them credit for – Belichick has turned his defense loose more this year while the Seahawks turned the ball over just one more time (14) than the Patriots did (13) – but you get the idea. The Patriots have a reputation of being thinkers. The Seahawks have a reputation of being hitters.

Off the field, Belichick grunts and snorts a lot. Carroll talks so fast he sounds like he is perpetually out of breath. Yet, both are regarded as defensive specialists. Fascinating matchup.

4. Russell Wilson vs. Marshawn Lynch

If you have ever read “The Education of a Coach,” by David Halberstam, you undoubtedly remember this leading into the Super Bowl between the Patriots and St. Louis Rams:

“But all offenses had their needs, and at the core of the Ram offense was Marshall Faulk, so great a football player than he could control a game if you did not control him.”

And so, weeks after losing to the Rams at Gillette Stadium, Belichick altered his defensive approach against a St. Louis offense that was deemed “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Instead of making quarterback Kurt Warner the focal point of the Patriots defense, Belichick shifted the focus to Faulk. The rest, as they say, is history.

So why is this relevant now? Because the Seahawks pose a similar dilemma with running back Marshawn Lynch and quarterback Wilson. The consensus opinion is that the Seattle offense starts with Lynch, but the reality is that Seattle becomes much more dangerous when Wilson turns into a dual threat with his arm and legs. The Green Bay Packers learned that firsthand on Sunday when Seattle finally began running the read-option and Wilson began breaking containment. Once that started to happen, Green Bay broke down.

How Belichick approaches that duo will be interesting, to say the least. The preference here? Focus on Wilson. Lynch can’t win it alone.

5. The Patriots vs. America

Might as well just get this out there, Pats followers: America is almost certainly rooting against you. In the last two weeks, Don Shula referred to Belichick as “Beli-cheat.” John Harbaugh accused the Patriots of “deception.” Then the Indianapolis Colts accused the Patriots of doctoring footballs.

America is so sick of the Patriots it isn’t funny. They’re sick of Belichick. They’re sick of Brady, too.

Meanwhile, Wilson led an improbable comeback against the Packers, then openly wept on national television, further endearing himself to the American public. America loves Wilson. America loves Carroll’s boyish enthusiasm. America loves the way Seattle plays because the Seahawks look and sound like they’re having an awful lot of fun.

The Patriots look like they’re showing up for a meeting. Belichick scowls a lot.

Yes, Pats followers, some of this is envy. Some of it is also the doing of the Patriots, particularly Belichick, who takes great pride in thumbing his nose at the establishment.

Of course, winning the game would be the biggest thumbing of all.

Tony Massarotti co-hosts the Felger and Massarotti Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub weekdays from 2-6 p.m. Follow him on Twitter @TonyMassarotti. You can read more from Tony by clicking here.